Elliptical Trainer Exercise

Elliptical Exercise Machines: A Brief History and Philosophy

The first Elliptical Exercise Machine was patented in 2004, by Larry D. Miller, for a company called Precor.  They continue to make some of the best machines available on the market today.  Miller filmed a runner in motion, translated that precise movement into a device which re-creates that elliptical movement, and in a nutshell created the first elliptical exercise machine.  Studies then and now prove that the device provides a quality cardio workout with minimal strain on the joints.  There are several reasons for that, which we’ll get into.

Basically, the Elliptical exercise machines has foot pedals that move along an elliptical pattern, as Miller captured in his study.  This creates the advantage of low impact to your legs and your lower back, thus a safe alternative to other cardio workouts.

The more expensive models provide a total body exercise, coming equipped with an upper body option to tackle the chest and arm muscles as well as engage the lower extremities.  Ellipticals provide a safe cardiovascular exercise regimen that avoids the normal damage caused by high-impact exercises such as aerobics, running, jogging or jump rope.  Unlike stationary cyles, the elliptical machine provides an option for the total body workout.

For these reasons alone, the machine stands superior to its low-tech counterparts.  Though low-impact, they provide weight-bearing exercise.  Most models are powered by the user, but the technology now available offers a variety of electrically or magnetically generated resistance levels, adjustable by simple-to-use LED consoles.

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Classifications and Options

Overall, there are 3 different styles of elliptical exercise machines, based on where the “drive” (motor) is located.  Originally, there was the rear drive, then came the next stage: front drive.  Most recent models are center drive.

Some manufacturers offer models that can adjust several things.  Some can change the incline of the roller ramps under the pedal links, which results in different pedal paths, producing a shift in which muscle groups are stressed in your legs.  Other models (mechatronic) can allow the user to adjust the incline as stated, but also the resistance and even the stride length during a single workout routine (usually according to a pre-programmed routine).

Others allow for reversal of the pedal action, a much safer alternative than running backwards in your park.  Though mostly designed with the legs in mind, many models offer handles that attach to the pedals to mimic ski action, and even provide a secondary source of drive to plough through a workout, giving a total body exertion.

Cheaper models concentrate on the user’s leg power, making the handles a moot point in the long run due to the mechanical design.  Be sure, when shopping, that your personal fitness goals (if they include a total body workout) will be met. The mere presence of handles doesn’t always translate into a true upper and lower body fitness experience.

If possible, try out a model/brand before buying to be sure you avoid getting saddled with a model that doesn’t actually provide the upper body experience.  Your upper body should share the load with the foot pedals, not merely be going along for the ride.

When shopping for an elliptical exercise machine note that the models used in your local gym are made for years of abuse by multiple users throughout a day.  That’s why their price tage is $4,000+, while the home models range from a few hundred dollars on up to the $3-4k range.  You probably don’t need an industrial model unless you plan on opening a gym and renting time to your friends and family.  There are decent machines throughout the price ranges, keep that in mind.

For a variety of price ranges, and a variety of models, you can shop for Elliptical exercise machines from OlympiaSports

Elliptical, Treadmill or Stair Stepper?

Due to the total body exertion achieved on ellipticals, the exercise is said to effectively burn calories and fat more efficiently than traditional devices or exercises that concentrate on one muscle group at a time.  Since swimming has long been known to be a very efficient exercise, this stands to reason, but the professional jury’s still out on this one.

This all boils down to the theory that if more muscles are involved, then more calories are burned a minute.  That makes sense to me, no matter what the treadmill or exercise bike folks claim.  Try it out and see for yourself is where I’ll leave the debate.  It is at least perceived by many users of the elliptical exercise machine that their rate of exertion is lower on ellipticals than on the treadmills.  Again: see for yourself.  The fact is: ellipticals are growing in demand.

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The design of ellipticals leaves your feet in constant contact with the pedals.  This drastically reduces impact on your lower spine and all your leg joints.  I’ve met many a happy runner who hit a certain age (we’ll leave names and ages out of this!) only to realize they need knee surgery or chiropractic adjustments due to their running habit.

I’ve yet to meet an elliptical user complaining of the same, and in fact have seen many of my former running friends wind up on the elliptical after that knee surgery or first chiropractic adjustment.  Why bother?  Why not play it safe?  Another consideration is the noise factor.  Having a treadmill in a second-story apartment means your downstairs neighbor just may accuse you of herding a stampede through your living room.  Not the case with ellipticals.

But what about stair machines?  Don’t they keep your feet in contact with the pedals?  Great question, and yes they do.  However, because of the nearly immediate reversal of the pedal on these machines, they also are considered high impact.  Because the foot pedal is traveling up and you push down on it to stop and reverse the motion, your joints register this as impact.  This isn’t the case with elliptical machines, which recreate our body’s natural motion.  The models that have handles also help reduce strain on the lower extremities, as you push/pull with your arms to create the motion of the foot pedals (if so equipped).

Efficiency

Recent university studies have shown that changing the length of the stride on one’s elliptical can increase the number of muscles used.  As the stride is increased, so are the number of calories burned, but the trick is: the users didn’t notice an increase in effort!  That is worth the extra money you spend on a higher quality model offering adjustable stride lengths: better results, not necessarily more work.  Count me in!  By the way, a good rule of thumb is a stride length of 21 inches.  Some really cheap models offer a stride length of only 14 inches, which isn’t enough for the average user.

Remember: the longer the stride, the more muscles you use; the more muscles you use, the more calories you burn; the more calories you burn, the shorter your workout needs to be.  Sounds like a win-win situation.  Remember, this is in addition to the handles which also engage your upper body.  Just imagine the calories you’ll burn with both upper body engaged, and an increased stride.

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Of course, you don’t have to merely imagine the calories you burn: the higher end model elliptical exercise machine comes equipped to monitor your progress.  They can also monitor your heart rate, oxygen levels, stride, progress in your workout, and even come equipped with multiple user profiles so your whole family can benefit.  The better the model, the more adjustments and control you’ll have over your results.  I hope this article helped introduce you to the benefits and reasons why you should seriously consider an elliptical exercise machine.  Your joints and back deserve a break, while your heart and bones deserve the attention.